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The Official 2012 Boston Red Sox Death Watch thread

Hello boyz!!!!!

The 2012 MLB season is fast approaching & everyone is wondering if this will be the year of the Boston Red Sox. Or, will it be another year of choking in the final month of the regular season? How will they play this season? Will they once again break the heart of every member of Sox Nation? Will David Ortiz have a good season after signing that big contract? Will steroids once again be the talk of this baseball season? How will the likes of Jon Lester, Clay Bucholz & John Lackey bounce back? Will the loss of star closer Jonathan Papelbon hurt the team? Will Andrew Bailey make Sox Nation forget Papelbon? Will big-name manager Bobby Valentine be able to control the large egos within the Red Sox clubhouse & steer them to the promise land?

So many questions......
Disclaimer: Read at your own risk. No whining. People who are too thin-skinned should not read and/or participate in the thread. This thread was created for the baseball fan with a sense of humor who loves this great sport & actually is very happy that there is a team called the Boston Red Sox. If it wasn't for teams like the Red Sox, baseball would be extremely boring. So let's enjoy this upcoming 2012 season together & may it be a harmonious season among Merb's die-hard baseball fans. By the way, it is my personal opinion that Bobby Valentine is a gift sent from heaven. This upcoming season will be so damn enjoyable to watch!

Beer consumption also will be cut off on the last leg of road trips, he said.

Valentine said he informed the team of the change Saturday morning during a meeting of the full squad, with the Red Sox owners and the baseball operations staff in attendance.

"It's just what I've always done, except in Texas, I guess," Valentine said in explaining the decision. "I'm comfortable with it that way."

The ban applies to all alcoholic beverages, the Red Sox confirmed.

Clubhouse beer consumption by starting pitchers during games in which they weren't appearing became a lightning rod of controversy after last season.

Red Sox starters Josh Beckett and Jon Lester met separately with reporters last weekend, expressing varying degrees of responsibility for the team's collapse last September, but agreeing that the fans' anger was understandable.

Valentine, when asked how the change was received Saturday, said: "You mean standing ovation or booing? I didn't get either of those. Probably fell somewhere in between a standing O and a standing boo."

Valentine said he did not speak with any of the team's veterans before announcing the policy.

Did he anticipate any pushback?

"I don't know. What would happen if they got traded to St. Louis? What, would they refuse the trade? Or New York? Or any of the other 19 teams or however many teams that (ban beer)? I doubt it, but I don't know what kind of pushback you could get."

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz endorsed Valentine's decision.

"We're not here to drink," he told reporters. "We're here to play baseball. It ain't a bar."

The St. Louis Cardinals banned alcohol in their clubhouse in 2007, five days after pitcher Josh Hancock, who played briefly for the Red Sox, died in an alcohol-related automobile accident.

Both the New York Mets and Yankees have banned alcohol from their clubhouses.

Former Yankees manager Joe Torre said during the World Series last fall -- when he was still working in the commissioner's office -- that MLB might consider an alcohol ban in all clubhouses.

Asked in general about what other rules he discussed Saturday, Valentine said: "Not to embarrass themselves or the team, the community, their teammates, themselves. I don't think that's a new rule. It's a long-standing rule of life."

Saying a recent move by the Red Sox to ban alcohol in the clubhouse amounted to a public-relations strategy, former Boston manager Terry Francona asserted Monday that it likely won't change whether a player who wants a drink after a game will have one.

"I think it's a PR move," Francona, now an ESPN analyst, said on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" show. "I think if a guy wants a beer, he can probably get one. You know, it's kind of the old rule ... If your coach in football says no hard liquor on the plane -- I mean, you serve beer and wine -- somebody's going to sneak liquor on the plane.

"If you furnish a little bit, it almost keeps it to a minimum."

Francona managed the Red Sox for eight seasons, a tenure that ended after the team missed the postseason despite holding a nine-game wild-card lead in September.

"I don't think it's a surprise that they put this in effect, or the fact they announced it," Francona said of the alcohol ban. "It's probably more of a PR move just because, you know, the Red Sox (took) such a beating at the end of the year."

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine announced the new policy on Saturday, saying beer consumption would also be cut off on the last leg of road trips.

Valentine responded to Francona's take later Monday at spring training in Fort Myers, Fla.

Later, in an informal conversation with a small group of reporters, Valentine said: "I think they probably asked [Francona] a question, that's what he said.

"If they had asked him longer, he probably would have said it was the right thing to do, too, but they probably dropped it at PR move, I would think. Either that, or those other 18 teams are getting it wrong, too. I don't think they did it just for PR.''

Valentine later joked: "When they did it in New York, they did it for PR. All bad PR.''

Clubhouse beer consumption by starting pitchers during games in which they weren't appearing became a lightning rod of controversy for the Red Sox after last season.

Josh Beckett and Jon Lester met separately with reporters last weekend, expressing varying degrees of responsibility for the team's collapse last September.

"We used to tell the guys, 'You have certain privileges, don't abuse the privileges or they'll be taken away,' " Francona said. "And it wasn't specifically in one area. There were many areas you talk about."

Francona managed the Red Sox from 2004-11, leading them to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. Boston had a 744-552 record in his eight seasons.

"You look back at this, these are guys that earned my implicit trust," Francona said. "You know, guys that we had won World Series with.

"So I probably felt different about it than a new guy coming in," Francona said of Valentine. "And he certainly has the right to do what he wants because he is new, and that's why you get different people."

But Francona also echoed the sentiments of Rays manager Joe Maddon, who spoke to reporters Sunday, saying Tampa Bay would implement no such rule.

"We're not the Boston Red Sox,'' Maddon said.

"I've said it a hundred times. For me at the end of the day, I'd much prefer our players making good decisions, and if you're of legal age, and the game is over, and you've sweated and lost a bunch of pounds and you want to sit down and have a beer, I see nothing wrong with that," Maddon said, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Jason Varitek, the longest tenured member of the Red Sox and catcher of two World Series-winning teams, will announce his retirement on Thursday in Fort Myers, Fla., a major league source confirmed Monday.

Varitek has been offered a position within the organization, but it is unclear whether he will accept it, the source said.

Varitek, who turns 40 on April 11, was offered a minor league contract and an invitation to big league camp by the Red Sox but has not been at the team's training facility. He has been with the Red Sox since his trade from Seattle in 1997 and retires having played all 1,546 games of his major-league career with Boston. His 1,488 games caught is a club record.

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester wrote on his Twitter account: "Can't believe Tek is retiring. Such an HONOR to have him behind my plate all these years! Awesome man & amazing teammate."

Varitek last season signaled a desire to continue playing for at least a few more years, and fellow catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said earlier this spring that Varitek has been catching, throwing and hitting all winter.

But Varitek, a free agent who served as the Red Sox captain, has not been offered a big league job by another club.

The Red Sox signed veteran catcher Kelly Shoppach this offseason and also have prospect Ryan Lavarnway, who made a brief appearance in Boston last season, waiting in the wings.

Varitek's decision was first reported by the Boston Globe.

Of players on last year's team, only Tim Wakefield had been with the Red Sox longer than Varitek, and Wakefield, 45, announced his retirement earlier this month.

That leaves David Ortiz, who signed with the Red Sox in 2003, as the club's elder statesman. When asked what it felt like to not have Wakefield and Varitek around after reporting to camp last week, Ortiz said, "It was kind of weird walking into the clubhouse and not seeing them.''

Red Sox principal owner John Henry said in December he "absolutely" would like Varitek to remain in the organization in some capacity, and general manager Ben Cherington said, "Our hope is that Tek will always be a part of the Red Sox in some way."

Varitek was acquired with pitcher Derek Lowe from the Mariners in 1997 in exchange for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb, one of the best trades in Red Sox history.

Varitek joined a franchise that hadn't won a World Series in almost eight decades and became a pivotal part of two championship teams. One of the enduring highlights of his career for Red Sox fans came on July 24, 2004, when Varitek shoved his glove in Alex Rodriguez's face during a brawl with the Yankees at Fenway Park.

That moment became a flashpoint in the Red Sox's season, which culminated with the team overcoming a three-game deficit against New York in the AL Championship Series en route to their first title in 86 years. Varitek, who became a free agent after that season, re-signed with the team after a protracted negotiation and was given a uniform with a "C" on its chest, making him the team's first captain since Jim Rice.

The Red Sox won the Series again in '07 with another solid year from Varitek, but it would be his last. Since then, he has batted .218, including a .220 average last year while appearing in just 68 games.

While Varitek's game-calling continued to be praised by Red Sox pitchers, his ability to stop base stealers deteriorated. Varitek threw out just 14 percent (12 out of 85) last season, while Shoppach nailed 41 percent of base-stealers (18 out of 44), tops in the American League.

Oh geez "boyz" there dropping like flies in red sawx land, first grampa wake, now varyteck.....why do I feel like another tear jerking "chowdah eat'n" dedication thread will be started?

If Big Pappi starts off in a terrible slump and/or starts his usual whining, it wouldn't surprise me that the organization starts badmouthing him behind his back in order to orchestrate his ouster & then attempt to make it seem like he's the one who wanted to leave or retire.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine acknowledged Monday that he may be forced to address lingering anger among some Red Sox players about a clubhouse "snitch."

Josh Beckett, in an interview with WEEI.com, reiterated complaints he had made earlier to former teammate Kevin Millar on the MLB Network about whoever leaked damaging allegations about the team's clubhouse conduct, which included drinking by the team's starting pitchers on days they were not pitching.

"Somebody was trying to save their own ass, and it probably cost a lot of people their asses,'' Beckett told the website. "The snitching (expletive), that's (expletive). It's not good.

"There's two things with the clubhouse thing that I have a problem with: If I'm going to say something about the clubhouse, my name is going to be on it. The second thing is you never want to be remembered as that guy because that will follow wherever you go. It's just mind-boggling to me."

Valentine was asked if he might have to bring the topic into the open.

"I'm not sure about addressing it,'' he said. "Maybe as the group gets smaller and that seems like a situation that's festering, and if it hasn't come to a head by the time March whatever comes around, I don't know.''

Asked whether he saw the potential for an ongoing problem, Valentine said: "Maybe. A problem, or something good. Teams are built on trust, right? And teamwork. Those are probably the two most important things championship teams have, so if there is distrust I think it eventually would have to be addressed. In my experience, those things usually present themselves.''

A common theme of the first week in camp has been turning the page on 2011, of a new chapter for the club.

"If there is a problem, I don't think you turn the page on it, personally,'' Valentine said. "I don't know if I ever said that, but if I did give me the right to change my mind. You work through things and time is a healer, but it's not the only healer. If someone was burned in there, it's going to take some time for the sting to leave.

"It's probably going to take some actions, too. I don't know if they have to be in a meeting form or caucusing small groups, big groups -- usually (the problems) present themselves. When they do, you'll find the true spirit.''

Valentine said he has spoken directly to some players already on the issue. And what has he told them?

"Exactly what I told you. Saying 'Forget it is like saying, 'Relax,' you know?' Those words mean nothing," Valentine said. "It takes breathing, confidence, all those wonderful things to relax. It takes time and apologies, but apologies come with actions. I don't think you can say, 'OK, we're going to have a meeting. We're turning the page, it's over.' No, thank you. I don't particularly like it.''

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- The writing has been on the wall regarding captain Jason Varitek's future with the Boston Red Sox for some time now.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington signed two catchers in the winter and offered the soon-to-be 40-year-old Varitek an invitation to camp as a show of respect. Pitchers and catchers reported, but Varitek did not. The first full-squad workout was held, and Varitek was nowhere to be found.

Still, there remained a glimmer of hope with most teammates that they would show up one morning, walk into the clubhouse and see Varitek sitting in front of his locker getting ready for the day's work.

The news is out that Varitek has decided to retire, and even though it was expected for much of the winter, it doesn't make it any easier to take for the Red Sox.

"It's something that we are used to it, seeing Tek walking around and doing his thing," slugger David Ortiz said Tuesday. Been a while since you walk in here and the first person you see is Tek. Walking in and not seeing him, it's like something unexpected.

"Watching Tek and this decision, hopefully he feels good about it. Hopefully he's being honest with himself. Man, I mean we're going to miss him."

He is expected to hold a news conference Thursday to put a bow on his brilliant career. Varitek spent all 15 of his big-league seasons with the Red Sox after coming over in a trade from Seattle in 1997, using his relentless work ethic and unyielding tenacity to give the franchise a new, gritty identity.

"I was expecting Tek to play until he was 60," said right-hander Clay Buchholz, who threw a no-hitter to Varitek in 2007. "He was awesome behind there. I still think he could be awesome behind the plate and have a job in baseball. That was his and his family's decision."

Varitek's smoldering intensity and icy glare weren't just intimidating to opponents. Buchholz said it took him about two years to build up the courage to start picking his brain.

"He's a guy that you know when you're on the mound and you shake him off and he sort of just stares at you, you know that, `OK I'll throw that pitch. Don't worry about it,"' Buchholz said.

Even as his production dipped in recent years and he was replaced by Victor Martinez first and then Jarrod Saltalamacchia as the starting catcher, his influence on the team remained sky high.

He was ace Josh Beckett's personal catcher to the end, and continued to set an example with his relentless preparation and scouting of the opponent.

"I loved working with him," Beckett said. "I never had a catcher before that I felt like cared more about wanting me to be successful even before he wanted to be successful. He's going to be missed, a lot, in the clubhouse and on the field."

Saltalamacchia was struggling to find his way in the big leagues when he came to Boston in a trade with Texas in 2010. He credits Varitek with instilling the confidence in him that he belonged.

"That's just the kind of person he is," Saltalamacchia said. "He always wanted to make me feel comfortable. He always wanted to help me out. He stood up for me at a lot of times. I can't thank him enough for jumpstarting my career again."

It would have been easy for Varitek to let the struggling 26-year-old hang out there with no guidance, likely ensuring that he held on to his starting position for a little while longer. But Varitek not only took him under his wing, he told the pitching staff to embrace Saltalamacchia.

"It was just kind of overwhelming," Saltalamacchia said. "I didn't expect him to be so helpful and say, `Hey, this is your team.'

"No, you're the captain. This is your team."

In some ways, it probably always will be. His No. 33 jersey remains a popular seller with the team's blue-collar fan base and there have been discussions about Varitek taking a job within in the organization.

"Especially now that he's going to retire, it's the kind of person that this organization needs to keep very close," Ortiz said. "This is a guy who does nothing but add things, good things.

Geez, with Varitek retiring, and no big income coming in like he is used to, how will he ever get his mistress, Heidi Watney back? Lesson learnt, when you cheat, nothing good will ever come from it. (besides the amazing sex with heidi) But yea, real stand up guy to cheat on his wife then ask for a divorce....scumbag is more the word.

Geez, with Varitek retiring, and no big income coming in like he is used to, how will he ever get his mistress, Heidi Watney back? Lesson learnt, when you cheat, nothing good will ever come from it. (besides the amazing sex with heidi) But yea, real stand up guy to cheat on his wife then ask for a divorce....scumbag is more the word.

Really? This is the first time i hear of this. Are you sure you're not getting him mixed up with that other scumbag John Lackie, who dumped his wife while she was battling cancer?

BOSTON (AP) — People call Nick Green “The Doubles Machine,” but the Red Sox shortstop has gone much further than second base with Heidi Watney.

The blonde sideline reporter was apparently the cause of a wild brawl between Green and Jason Varitek prior to Sunday’s game in Baltimore. Varitek rushed Green, who recently started dating Watney while she was in a sexual relationship with the Red Sox captain.

Varitek reportedly started yelling at Green before ramming him into Manny Delcarmen’s locker. The two grappled back-and-forth for a few minutes before teammates stepped in and broke up the brawl. Varitek suffered bruises while Green left with a black eye and several bruises on his face and chest. Green was unavailable for Sunday’s game because of the injury, the Boston Herald reported, but Varitek started behind the plate, going 1-for-5 with an RBI in the 9-3 victory.

Witnesses say the fight was all because of Watney. Sources say Watney dumped Varitek recently, more than a year after Varitek left his wife for Watney and months after he announced he and Watney’s relationship to the press. Watney, sources say, is now banging Green. The Boston Herald caught the pair making out at Maggino’s, a Boston restaurant, while hanging with Jacoby Ellsbury and his girl, Kelsey Hawkins, last week.

Further reports say that Green actually started his courtship of Watney at a charity event hosted by Varitek and teammate Tim Wakefield.

“Tek was furious. He had strong feelings for Heidi,” said one Red Sox teammate who did not want to be named. “Greeney though, you gotta be careful of that guy, he’ll step in and steal your girl in two seconds.”

Red Sox manager Terry Francona declined comment on the situation. “That’s a personal issue between Tek and Nick. I’ll leave it at that,” Francona said of the brawl, that happened during the time the clubhouse was not accessible to the media before the game.

Heidi Watney Goes Off on Radio Host for Mentioning Jason Varitek Rumor

Boston radio host Michael Felger ranted Wednesday in response to the Boston Globe’s account of the Red Sox’s collapse this year. While he was ranting, he mentioned an old rumor about NESN reporter Heidi Watney and Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. Watney heard about the rumor and defended herself with a few tweets.

“If Felger was ever in the clubhouse he might be able to talk about the team with some knowledge rather than just repeating rumors. Felger is completely off base on just about everything he is saying. Ridiculous and irresponsible.”

Watney went against company policy by commenting on the rumor, and the story grew once she sent her tweets. Watney went on The Sports Hub’s morning show to further defend herself.

“In the assassination of just about everyone’s character that’s involved remotely with the Red Sox these days, it seems, he brought my name in the mix and a rumor that I was linked to when I first got into town,” Watney said, “Which, by the way, is not true.”

“It’s not only hurting to hear rumors about yourself that (are) not true, years later, after the rumor even came about, but also to hear someone say ‘Oh you can’t even call yourself a reporter.’”

Watney said she’s never met Felger, never seen him in the clubhouse or at Fenway Park.

“It was just really upsetting to me,” she said.

Watney admitted that it was a bad decision to respond to Felger by sending the tweets because that spread the negative information. She’s right; if she hadn’t responded, only the people listening to the show at that time would have heard about it.